『우해이어보(牛海異魚譜)』의 성격에 관한 재론(再論)

Abstract

This article is a re-discussion of the characteristics of “Uhae-ieo-bo”, that is considered the first books of fishes in Korea. Damjeong(藫庭) Kim Ryeo(金鑢)’s “Uhae-ieo-bo” is both a work that continues the tradition of “a strange fish: ieo(異魚)” and a product of natural curiosity in the “a various marine life : Haechak(海錯)” family. Interest in animals and plants and minerals surged in the 19th century, when “Uhae-ieo-bo” appeared, which could be called the heyday of natural science. However, Kim Ryeo did not try to elaborate in consideration of academic genealogy and did not pay much attention to completing the encyclopedia knowledge system. This can be guessed from the fact that there are few traces of reference to other books found in “Uhae-ieo-bo”, the active use of Chinese character-borrowing notation in naming of fishes, and that even Chinese characters included in “kangxi-zidian(康熙字典)” were often used in a different way than previously known. On the other hand, “miscellaneous poetry : Jap-gok(雜曲)”, a section of “Uhae-ieo-bo”, has two main characteristics, one is a case where the contents of the poem can be fully understood only through explanations of fishes, and the other is to explain or supplement fishes and locality through poetry. This is a feature that is unprecedented in other books of fishes, and not only is Kim Ryeo’s identity as a poet clearly displayed, but it also gives a kind of “record of customs” breath to “Uhae-ieo-bo”.